What exactly does a Command Sergeant Major (CSM) do?

2016-09-10T09:35:58-04:00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2016 9:40 AM

2016-09-10T09:40:47-04:00

Advises the commanding officer on all matters pertaining to enlisted personnel.

Also walks around like a ninja correcting unsuspecting privates.

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 10 at 2016 9:44 AM

2016-09-10T09:44:18-04:00

Depends At What Level He working... Company ... Battalion... S-3

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2016 9:50 AM

2016-09-10T09:50:34-04:00

Pretty much whatever he/she wants to do.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2016 2:14 PM

2016-09-10T14:14:01-04:00

Squares people away, mostly.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2016 2:30 PM

2016-09-10T14:30:03-04:00

My CSM is pretty laid back, very approachable. He corrects people, engages with the junior enlisted. He asks questions about them, their MOS, how they're doing. Stuff like that. You also get this feeling that you shouldn't mess with him, has a kind of presence. As for his actual duties I imagine he advises the LTC and speaks with all the S-Shops.

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Sep 10 at 2016 3:13 PM

2016-09-10T15:13:48-04:00

When they first came out with the SGM, he did the same thing he did as an E-8 at Bn Hqs.
Nothing. He would drink his coffee, smoke a cigar and call the 1SGs of the units and remind them of Police Call. By then it was lunch, so off to the NCO Club. When he left the club, stopped by the Golf Club (they served beer then), back to Bh Hq for another cigar, then home. I know thing have evolved now; they can't smoke in Bn Hqs. :):)

Response by PO3 Michael James made Sep 10 at 2016 4:34 PM

2016-09-10T16:34:41-04:00

Wow, lets see:.. "Walks around like a ninja", "Good ones also terrorize", "pretty much what he/she wants to do", "drink coffee, smoke a cigar, NCO club for lunch, off to gulf club for beers and a cigar".. "routinely schmooze" ... Gee, sounds like a prerequisite for a position with Congress..

Response by CSM Michael Sweeney made Sep 10 at 2016 7:31 PM

2016-09-10T19:31:07-04:00

In my nearly 30 years, I saw many variations of what a CSM actually did. In the early 70's I saw some who did spend most of their time in the mess hall drinking coffee and spending the day waiting to go to the club. That is not sour grapes since I was a cook, I saw him. Then I saw the hard but fair mean ass SOB like CSM Plumbly as played by Sam Elliott in We Were Soldiers. I was looking for a line item duty description when I attended the Sergeants Major Academy, but there really wasn't one. Yes, senior enlisted advisor to the commander of all matters pertaining to enlisted members of the unit. Also individual training, so that the commanders can focus on collective training. Keeping and teaching Army and unit history, customs and traditions. No CSM has authority on their own, which was greatly misunderstood in my day. Their respective commander must make it clear to the command, especially to the officers, what authority their CSM has within the unit. Then the CSM has got to respect those officers and not act superior, regardless of the stories of CSMs chewing LT and CPT assess. My opinion, but Command Sergeants Major are Sergeants Major OF the Command, not Sergeants Major IN Command. In Combat, the CSM travels the length and width of the commands footprint checking on soldiers, making sure they have what they need to do their jobs and getting what they need to stay physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. Nothing in writing, all natural leadership built in over years.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Sep 10 at 2016 11:03 PM

2016-09-10T23:03:53-04:00

I would answer this post this way,Moses must have been a CSM he had the power to part the Red Sea,David must have been a CSM he slew Goliath with only a pebble,turning water into wine of course was done by the Big Guys Son,but I'm sure a CSM drank it.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 11 at 2016 10:14 AM

2016-09-11T10:14:35-04:00

Ask your Dad.

Response by CSM Ralph Hernandez made Sep 13 at 2016 2:15 PM

2016-09-13T14:15:01-04:00

He is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commander on all Enlisted matters. He is the mentor for young Officers normally in the grades of O-1 through O-3 First Sergeants, and Master Sergeants. He reviews and approves all documents pertaining to Enlisted personnel before going to the Field Grade Officer in Command or General. He appoints personnel and ensures that all standards are being met for Battalion, Brigade, or higher echelons. He gets very little sleep and that is probably the reason why he's cranky all the time. Soldiers think that he has an easy job and shams alot, but until you have walked in those boots, please don't judge the mean old Basturd, he might bite you!!!!!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 2:49 PM

2016-09-13T14:49:53-04:00

Every unit has a lineage, and with that history comes an accounting of its Soldier's bravery in battle (battle streamers) as well as each unit having its own insignia, coat of arms and a motto. Mottos like "Regulars, By God!", "First In, Last Out" or "Proven Pioneers" actually have meaning and I think its up to the CSM to ensure every Soldier in the unit understands the story behind the motto. Knowing stuff like that gives you a little clarity when you start thinking of yourself and your battle buddies as a Regular, Sapper, Pioneer, Wolfhound, Gimlet or any number of other nicknames.

But to answer your question James of what exactly a CSM does, he or she is charged to be the epitome of what a Regular or a Pioneer or a Raider is supposed to be. Fit, trim, in excellent shape, expert marksman, knowledgeable as well as fair and impartial, the Soldiers must have total confidence that the CSM is totally devoted to the unit and will do everything in their power to make you the best Regular, Pioneer or Wolfhound in the US Army.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 8:19 PM

2016-09-13T20:19:02-04:00

Hmmmm, not real sure....you should go kick in the door to your CSM and ask him just what the heck he does.

Just Kidding, don't do that. I don't want you to have a significant emotional event. CSM's advises and assists the Commander in training and welfare of all soldiers of the command. The CSM's (also known as crusty old bastards or Old SOB's) comments are all pretty good since they probably had to help write a few of their NCOERs

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2016 7:58 AM

2016-09-14T07:58:22-04:00

Make this real simple.
To make everyone's life in the military miserable.
But, seriously the CSM of. DIV, Gp, Corp, BN are the: eyes, ears, voice of the DIV, Gp, Corp, BN Commander. That's his "boss" and he only answers to him.

Response by CSM William DeWolf made Sep 15 at 2016 3:50 PM

2016-09-15T15:50:26-04:00

Depends on the level: BN CSM, GP CSM, etc.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2016 11:52 AM

2016-09-23T11:52:10-04:00

On the certificate of appointment it reads "You are therefore charged to faithfully and impartially discharge the duties required by this appointment. As Command Sergeant Major, you fulfill your role in the efficient accomplishment of the unit's mission by providing advice and initiating recommendations to the commander and staff on all matters pertaining to enlisted personnel and their families. By providing counsel and guidance to noncommissioned officers and other enlisted personnel of the command, you satisfy your responsibility for the welfare of the unit's personnel. Also, as the senior noncommissioned officer in your command, you are provided a special charge to uphold military customs and traditions and to enhance the professionalism in the Noncommissioned Officer Corps and the Army by executing established policies and directives according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice"

Depending on the level of the CSM's command he/she trains, mentors and provides guidance to the Sr NCOs of the units under his command.

The responsibilities of the CSM center on taking care of Soldiers, families, mentoring/providing recommendations to Officers, Warrant Officers NCOs, and Soldiers. The CSM ensures Soldiers and leaders are trained to standard and have all of the required equipment to complete the mission.

The CSM must circulate within his command's area of responsibility And be the eyes and ears of the Commander.

The CSM is the standard bearer of the command and if the CSM is doing his/her job will hold all Soldiers regardless of rank to the standard. CSMs get very little rest and are normally always available to the members of their command if needed.

CSMs must network with other CSMs/SGMs and stay up to date on regulations and standards and be able to convey and check the understanding of the Commander's intent , without hesitation o the Soldiers under the command.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 4 at 2017 11:18 PM

2017-08-04T23:18:01-04:00

Walk on the grass. You'll find out.

In all seriousness, they advise the commander on all soldier issues and NCO development. In training the commander and CSM work together to train the unit spanning individual to collective levels. The CSM is referred to as the conscience of the command and is the bearer of standards.

In practical terms, they are assigning NCOs to units and positions in conjunction with the 1SGs at Company Level. They supervise the soldier promotion board process. They manage talent. The CSM protects the unit colors. The CSM screens personnel actions and provides advice along with the XO and DCO (at BDE level). The CSM will advise the staff where it is appropriate.

There is magic in the sauce which is not scientific. The biggest piece is variable, it is based on the Commander/CSM individual relationship. My CSM was an extension of my command. I delegated numerous things to her. We talked about most of my key decisions and how they would be implemented before I rolled them out. Sometimes, she was uniquely suited to the function/mission at hand and rolled with it, with my full endorsement. Other times it was me.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 16 at 2018 7:27 AM

2018-06-16T07:27:21-04:00

Before I patronize a response, your profile only shows your name. What was your position in the military? Then I can appropriately shape my response ensuring it would relate to your experience.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2019 8:24 PM

2019-01-05T20:24:28-05:00

Any damn thing he wants to do. Twice, if he liked it.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Jan 5 at 2019 10:50 PM

2019-01-05T22:50:18-05:00

Makes life miserable for all who come in contact with him by acting like an entitled bully. The CSM rank is the most useless, worthless rank in the entire army.

Response by SFC Allen Leivdal made Mar 8 at 2021 2:20 PM

2021-03-08T14:20:53-05:00

Command Sergeant Sergeant Major's are over rated and only care for themselves and friends. If you ever cross a CSM in the wrong way they will make sure they call all their fellow CSMs to put that soldier on the black list, I've seen it happen it's called the "Good Old Boy Network". The military has to way too many CSM in every branch of the service. When I was on active you had one SMS for each branch of service and 1 SM per Battalion (later to become CSM) and 1 Post CSM. Hell not you have a CSM for everything. Go back to the OLD way make rank what it should be. I was at Fort Lewis in 1982 sitting at the Officer's Club having a drink. Because the O Club was going in the black so they opened the club to Senior NCO E7 and above. While sitting there enjoying a cold beer and the Post CSM came in and took a stool not far from me and looked at me and ask “ what are you doing here” when I told him the club was open to all Senior NCO he turn and did not say anything. The next day a Memo came out from his office saying that only Senior NCOs in the rank of E8 and above was authorized you utilize the O Club. Need say no more…. End of story….

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2023 10:26 PM

2023-01-12T22:26:43-05:00

In addition to being an advisor to the Commander on all matters of the enlisted Soldiers, individual training, and caretaker of the Army/unit history, customs, courtesies, and traditions. While the Commander may charge the Command Sergeant Major (CSM) with specific areas that he/she wants the CSM to focus on. A Commander will seek the CSM's counsel based on the years of experience and education gained through hands-on, authentic training and combat zone experiences, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development courses, and civilian education. Additionally, Mission Command empowers subordinate leaders, such as the CSM, in decision-making and decentralized execution appropriate to the situation. In today's Army, the CSM is responsible for setting the expectations and appointing someone to run the NCODP, Best Squad, and Best Soldier Competitions. At the Division and Brigade level, the CSM provides guidance and support to the S-3 or G-3 Ops SGM on BMM, Annual Area Beautification, CoRs, CoCs, and Pay Day Activity observances. Interviewing and selecting the HHC 1SG, a hand in the Battalion CSMs, and mentoring junior officers and NCOs, for example.